Tenders open for £150M Holyhead breakwater

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Stena Line Ports has launched the tender process for contractors seeking to bid for the £150M+ contract to secure the future of the breakwater in Holyhead.

This significant investment from Stena Line Ports for improvements to the breakwater is part of a strategic plan to secure the sustainable future of the port. This will be supported by a £40M funding package made up from a £20M Welsh Government loan and a UK Government £20M grant, which was announced in October 2023.

The structure is the longest breakwater in the UK and provides essential protection to the Port of Holyhead sheltering the infrastructure and allowing ships to dock safely. In addition, it provides shelter for the town seafront. Since its construction it has gradually been eroded by the Irish Sea. The stability of the breakwater is now under threat, with an increasing probability of a breach in the structure occurring during storm conditions.

The work required by the contractor includes the following principal activities:

• provision of circa 11,600 45T tetrapod armour units and 750 120T chevron blocks
• supply and placement of rock fill to reprofile the breakwater foundations
• placement of the tetrapod and chevron blocks on the seaward side and around the end of the breakwater
• supply and placement of concrete mattresses on the harbour side of the breakwater
• supply and placement of rock armour at the landward end of the breakwater.

Holyhead is the second busiest roll-on/roll-off port in the UK. It is a critical link between the UK, the Republic of Ireland and the EU, and a key employer on Anglesey, supporting around 700 local jobs.

Carl-Johan Hellner, Chief Operating Officer, Ports & Terminals, Stena Line Ports said: “The launch of the tender process for the £150M+ Holyhead Breakwater project is a crucial step in securing the future of this vital infrastructure. The breakwater is essential for protecting the Port of Holyhead and the town, ensuring the safety of our operations and the ships that dock here. This significant investment aims to preserve this historical infrastructure and underscores our commitment to maintaining Holyhead port’s stability and securing its sustainable future.”

Interested parties can find full information on the tender process at sell2wales.gov.wales

Image: JDMediaFilm

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